Bench



April 1942' E. 1.. JOHNSON I 2,279,946

BENCH Filed June 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l fH'lER lmur JUH NIBN Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNlTED STAT BENCH 7 Elmer Linus Johnson, Lakewood, N. Y.

Application June 20, 1940,.Serial No. 341,522

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in benches and more particularly to benches of the type used in public gathering places, such as clubs and. restaurants. The structural parts of the bench forming the subject matter of the invention are such that it may be erected as a double or back-to-back bench, as well as a straight or curved single bench.

Prior to this invention it has been the practice to fabricate benches of this type only as they were needed and in accordance with specific requirements. No attempt was made to standardize on any of the essential structural parts and, consequently, the manufacture of each bench or group of benches has been a special undertaking.

The present invention has for one of its objects the provision of duplicate structural parts that may be erected as double or back-to-back benches, as well as straight or curved single benches. Additionally, the invention makes possible the erection of benches without prior specific dimensional limitations being known. It is also an object of the invention to provide structural parts that may be fabricated in quantities and stored until required. In this manner,

the manufacturing cost of bench parts is greatly reduced, erection simplified, and adaption of a bench to a variety of spaced limitations greatly facilitated. Furthermore, the structural parts may be designed to determine the contour of seat and back rest for greater convenience and comfort of users of a bench.

Other advantages and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification .taken 1 in conjunction with the accompanying drawings;"

and in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of ad'ouble seat bench in which is embodied one form of the invention, the seat and back being partially broken away to disclose the structural features;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end View of one of the uprights;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a single bench with the seat and back partially broken away to disclose the structural details of another form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a slightly curved bench;

Figure '7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of structural parts when the bench follows a 90 turn; and

Figures 8 and 9 are end views of the uprights ofthe structures shown in Figures 4 and 6 respectively,

Reference is now had to the drawings wherein the numeral Ill is employed to designate the skeleton structure of a bench embodying one for the back rest applied thereto.

form ofthe invention. A plurality ofluprights H form a partof the structure and maybe spaced apart any desired distance, being secured I The number of stitutes the full width of the base of the bench,

it may be found preferable to provide notches l3 for receiving the rails l2,.substantial1y as indicatedin the drawings. At a height slightly below seat level anupright is formed with a ledgeor shoulder I l. In the modification under discussion two such shoulders are provided, since. the

' bench is of double, or back-to back typeifThe upper portion 11 6 commencing from the shoulders i4 is formed with convergingly curved edges that terminate in a flat'surface ll. The particular curve of the edge of the portion I6 is of importance only insofar as it provides a desired curvature The. upper ends of the uprights are rigidly secured. by means of a top rail [8 thatfits on the surface IT.

A horizontal member l9, in the instant disclosure, is joined midway of its ends to each of the uprights H. The member is so disposed that the upper edge thereof is flush with the shoulders Hi of the supporting. :upright. The ends 2| of each member I9 may be rounded to define-the contour of the edge of a seat. Suitable tie slats 22 secure the free ends of the members I9. r

A strip of veneer, plywood, pressed wood, or other somewhat flexible material 23 may be applied to the curved edges of the uprights II. This strip commences at the rail l8and terminates against the shoulders I4, being bound and finished in any conventional manner. A further strip 24 is applied to the upper edges of the members l9, commencing adjacent the shoulder l4 and terminating at the slat 22. The material utilized to provide the back and seat 23 and 24 to some extent controls the number and spacing of the uprights II. For example, if the material of the back of the seat is substantial, fewer uprights and members [9 will be needed in a bench of given length. However, if the material must be sharply curved at the seat edge as suggested in the drawings, such material will be of less thickness and strength and a greater number of uprights l I and members is necessarily provided in a given length bench. The end uprights of the bench may be suitably anchored to the floor and the bench is ready for use. However, if it is desired .to upholster the bench, suitable .pads and covering may be applied to the back and seat and fastened thereto in any conventional manner.

Benches of the type described find particular; adaptation when arranged at right angles to a 7 wall and spaced to accommodate a table between adjacent benches. It is customary to perin the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection I by Letters Patent is:

manently secure both the benches and table."

Under such circumstances, the present structure provides adequate leg room beneath the seat for a person to readily maintain his balance when sliding :into'or out of place on the bench.

1. Abench of the class described comprising a plurality of spaced uprights,'top and bottom rails 'Reference is now ha'dtothe structure of Figures 4 and 6. Herein the bench is .of a type adapted to be, positioned fiat against the wall. Uprights :.are secured in spaced relationship bya rail 26 ina manner similar to that already described. Each:upright is formed with'a single ledge or shoulder 21-. A member 28 forms a part of the seat and is permanently secured to the upright with the top edge flush with the shoulder 21'; A tie s1at.29 securesithe free ends of the members 28.- Theupper portion 3| of each of the uprights 25 may be formed with a curved edge and terminates in a top. connecting rail 32. Comparing Figure l and Figure 4, it will be noted that the structure of Figure 4 is substantially one-half that of Figure 1.? In otherwords, the skeleton structure of Figure 1, if cut lengthwise through the middle, would produce two structures of the nature shown in Figure '4. Thus, if uprights H and members I9 were carried in stock by a manufacturer and fit was desired to provide wall benches of the type shown in Figure'4, these members could be cutin half and utilized without other alterationsf Figure 6 discloses the condition where the uprights may be connected by curved rails 33 and tie slats 34 for the'purpose of providing a bench that will follow a curved wall. A bench of. the type of the invention is intended to be assembled at the place of installation and no previous information need be providedas to the curvature of the wall. Thus the. bench as erected may be made to follow the wall contour.- ,Carrying this thought further; Figure 7 illustrates the arrangehaving fitted engagement with and serving to securesaid uprights in parallel spaced relationship, corresponding edges of saiduprights being outwardly curved from the top rail'to approximately seat level, members joined to said uprights at-the lower endsof said curved edges and projecting horizontally beyond said uprights, said members terminating in somewhat rounded ends, sheet material engagedwith thecurved edges of said uprights and the top' and 'front edges of said members to form a back rest and seat, and a tie slat joined to the under frontedges of said members to secure said members in spaced relationship.

2. A bench of the class described comprising a plurality of spaced similar uprights, top and bottom rails connecting said uprights, shoulders in corresponding edges of said uprights at slightly beneath seat level, the edges of uprights above said shoulders being curved to a suitable back rest contour that terminates at said top rail, horizontally disposed members secured to said uprights with their upper'edges flush with said shoulders, said members extending beyond said uprights to form seat supports, and sheet material joined to said uprights and said members, said material being sufiiciently flexible to conform readily to the curved edges of said uprights 3. A bench of the class described comprising a plurality of similar uprights, each of said uprights having a rectangular base portion and an upper portion with uniformly contoured edges converging in a relatively small flat top, rails joined to and spacedly positioningsaid uprights, one of said rails being positioned on the top of each upright and another of said rails being on the base portion, horizontal members joined midway of their ends to said uprights, means con- ELMERLLINUS JOHNSON. 

